Right returns to power in Chile

Billionaire Sebastian Pinera has won Chile's election to become the nation's first democratically elected right-wing president in 52 years.

The ruling coalition's candidate, Eduardo Frei, conceded defeat after 60% of polling stations reported a 52% to 48% advantage for Mr Pinera, ending two decades of centre-left rule since the end of Augusto Pinochet's dictatorship.

"Chile is much better than the country we received in 1990," said Mr Frei. "We will be guardians of liberty and of all our social victories."

Mr Pinera had a wide lead in every poll, and the race only tightened after Mr Frei and outgoing President Michelle Bachelet repeatedly invoked the legacy of Pinochet, whose dictatorship was supported by the parties which make up Mr Pinera's coalition.

But many left-wing voters became disenchanted after two decades with the same group of politicians in power and Mr Frei's effort to raise fears of a retreat on human rights failed to persuade enough of them to vote against Mr Pinera.

Mr Pinera, a Harvard-trained economist, focused his campaign on hopes for change, promising to create a million jobs and double Chile's per-capita income by expanding the country's growth to 6% a year.

Pinera voters included Tatiana Cantillana, a 57-year-old nurse's aide who hoped a Pinera victory would reduce corruption. "There has to be a change so that they stop stealing," she said.

Mr Frei and Mr Pinera agreed on most issues - a reflection of the remarkable economic, social and political success that has given Ms Bachelet nearly 80% approval ratings as she ends her term - making human rights the wild card.

Ms Bachelet, herself a torture victim, supported judicial efforts to resolve crimes against humanity, and more than 700 former military and security officials have been put on trial.